Blackenbrook Family Reserve Nelson Pinot Noir 2019 $45 I can totally see why this wine made the cut for Ursual and Daniel Swarzenbach’s Family Reserve – clearly 2019 was a year where Tāwhirimātea, Māori god of the weather, gave out the good behaviour awards to their vines. The resulting wine is plucky, plush and showing … Read More
Pinot Noir
Domain Road Central Otago Pinot Noir Rosé 2021
Domain Road Central Otago Pinot Noir Rosé 2021 $28 A sensational snappy-fresh rosé here from Graeme Crosbie’s family vineyard in Bannockburn. Roaring with redcurrant, watermelon and cherry notes, a hint of citrus and creaming soda, it’s a beautifully balanced, richly structured style. Dry, mouthfilling and boasting impressive length of flavour. Domain Road
Stad_ko Martinborough Pinot Noir 2020
Stad_ko Martinborough Pinot Noir 2020 $39 Clones 115, 667 and 777 from Robert Stadniczenko’s Arapai vineyard on the Dry River Flats, comes this dry, spicy, leather layered and earthy pinot noir that’s been partially whole-bunch fermented, partially foot-stomped and given a long, quiet, post ferment sleepy time in barrel for 10 months. Edged with allspice … Read More
Stad-ko Wines Martinborough Pinot Noir Rosé 2020
Stad-ko Wines Martinborough Pinot Noir Rosé 2020 $29 Crafted by Robert Stadniczenko and his son, Anton, this rosé was made using the biggest, handpicked bunches of pinot noir in their vineyard. They were crushed and separated from their skins after a pretty, coral-pink colour had bled into the juice and then 25% of that juice … Read More
Waipara Hills Waipara Valley Pinot Noir Rosé 2021
Waipara Hills Waipara Valley Pinot Noir Rosé 2021 $15 If you’ve a hankering for a rich, ripe, berry-stacked rosé that will absolutely wow the crowds (or if you’re not one for sharing, satisfy you solo) then this is the business. Heaving with cherry, raspberry, watermelon, a lick of creaming soda and finishing with a flourish … Read More
Mud House The Narrows Marlborough Pinot Noir 2020
Mud House The Narrows Marlborough Pinot Noir 2020 $21.99 The ‘Narrows’ has fast become one of my favourite, best-value pinot noirs in the country. Highly complex, deeply fruity, dark, fulsome and supremely elegant” noted Yvonne, while Cameron loved its injection of cranberry, pomegranate and vanilla across its firm tannins. Marty agreed, “intensely aromatic and loaded … Read More
Pegasus Bay Vergence Red MKI Pinot Noir 2018
Pegasus Bay Vergence Red MKI Pinot Noir 2018 $40 Waipara is Pegasus Bay’s home, but they’re fans of great fruit no matter where it comes from, so say hi to Central Otago! Vergence is all about pushing the oeno-envelope, so steady yourself for a 100% whole-cluster, carbonic and wild-fermented pinot. Think whole bunches sealed in … Read More
Driven Snow Central Otago Pinot Noir 2020
Driven Snow Central Otago Pinot Noir 2020 $39.99 If you’re wondering why this wine is a touch cloudier than your normal, commercial-grade, supermarket pinot noir, fret not. In fact, be happy, because it’s evidence of a wine that’s been crafted without fining or filtration, processes that some winemakers believe scan strip some of the original … Read More
Gladstone Vineyard Wairarapa Pinot Noir 2019
Gladstone Vineyard Wairarapa Pinot Noir 2019 $36 A stylishly savoury pinot noir that’s been grown organically and carefully shepherded into the bottle by Ollie Wylie and Chief Winemaker Eddie McDougall, this is a style that is absolutely classic Gladstone. Cherry, tamarillo and dried herb layers wash across deliciously dusty tannins and compliment its supple acidity. … Read More
Whitehaven Marlborough Pinot Noir Rosé 2021
Whitehaven Marlborough Pinot Noir Rosé 2021 $25 I love how this wine smells like it’s going to be all sweet and fruity and cornflower confection, yet as soon as you get it in your gob, it’s deliciously dry, generously proportioned, drizzled with sea salt and shows an edge of savoury and spice and all things … Read More